Vacuum machine



Oct, 19, 1937.

N. P. BACH VACUUM MACHINE Filed oct. 2, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 THUN" Oct.19, 1937. N. P. BACH VACUUM MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1931` '5 Sheets-Sheet2 .J KN/ m 7 luv.

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N. P. BACH VACUUM MACHINE Filed oct. 2, 1931 5 sheets-sheet s FigiINVENTOR B A11A-d? l LV@ l ATTQRN 5.5 and Patented Oct. 19, 1937 PATENTOFFICE VACUUM MACHINE Neils P. Bach, Geneva, N. Y., assignor to AmericanCan Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationOctober 2,

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine or apparatus for vacuumizingand sealing containers and has for a particular object the provision ofa rotating container carrier turret and a float Valve engaging theturret and providing a seal for a vacuum chamber, the float valveutilizing' atmospheric pressure for maintaining the proper lit, theamount of this holding pressure and its eiect being carefully andaccurately controlled at all times.

The present invention is particularly adapted to the use of a suctioncontrol device associated with a iioat valve of this general character,such a control insuring the proper sliding t while preventing binding ofthe valve against the turret, all elements being self-contained andauto- 'matically compensating in theiractions.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of acontrol means for a float valve which operates sothat the effect ofatmospheric pressure against the valve during vacuumization of acontainer is partially counteracted and a definite controlled sealingpressure for the valve parts is maintained.

Animportant object of the present invention is the provision of aregulator for a float valve of the character described wherein theregulating deviceA may be adjusted to provide any desired valve pressurefor sealing'I a vacuum chamber.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of apressure controlled iioat valve and a continuously rotating containercarrier turret for conveying the containers into and out lof. a vacuumchamber', the vacuumized containers 35 being closed in vacuum. the valveand turret controlled seal allowing a highdegree of vacuum'in thechamber while permitting easy operation o the turret. i

Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is betterunderstood from the following description, which, taken in connectionWith the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodimentthereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is. a sectional view taken throughan apparatus for sealingcontainers in vacuum, this apparatus exemplifying a. preferredembodiment of the present` invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus takensubstantially along vthe broken line 2--2 'in Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of the turret pockets withits enclosed sealing device for closing the container under vacuum;

1931, serial 10.566575 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan detail of theturret section. i

Such a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises acombined vacuumizing and sealing apparatus mounted on a stationaryframewhich includes a unit b-ase 2l on which is mounted a` centralcolumn 22 and a side bracket 23. 'Ihe column 22 provides a. support forthe container carrier turret and also carries a gear housing 24 mountedabove.

The can carrier turret comprises a substantially cylindrical shell orturret member -25 provided with container pockets 26 adapted to receivecontainers 21 having a loosely applied closure or cover 28. A sealingmechanism is illustrated in the drawings for hermetically securing thiscover 28 to its container.

The turret 25 is indirectly mounted for rotation on the column 22 andfor this purpose is formed with a central sleeve 29 joined by a topplate 3| to its outer shell. The sleeve is formed with a bottom flange32 which rests upon a ball bearing unit l33 carried by a flange 34formed in the lower end of an inner sleeve 35 mounted for rotation onthe column 22. The sleeve 35 is supported upon a ball bearing unit 36which is carried'upon a shoulder 31 formed in an intermediate web 38 ofthe column 22. In this way the column directly supports the sleeve 35and the latter supports the turret, the bearing units allowing free andindependent 'movement between column 22 and 'sleeve 35 and between thesleeves 35, 29. r

The containers 2l are introduced into the machine in any suitable manneras by.a conveyor chain 4l (Fig. 1) operating over. sprockets 42 carriedon a shaft 43 journaled in an extension table 44. This table may becarried by or otherwise properly associated with the frame of themachine so that the containers are delivered into the turret pockets. Insuch delivery theyv are guided between guide rails 45 and as eachcontainer approaches the inner ends of the rails. it is engaged by anarm of a rotating starwheel 46. This starwheel is mounted upon a.'vertical shaft 41 suitably journaled within the table 44 and is rotatedin proper time with the travel of the l chains 4|.

'Iurret 25 is'also rotated in synchronism with the starwheel i6r so thatthe engaged container r of the guide rails. forces the container fullywithin the pocket. A

Rollers are rotatably carried on the starwheei 45, there being oneroller for each arm. A roller 5| moving in itscircular path of travelafter thejcontainer has been discharged from the associated arm of thestarwheel, comes'into engagement with a'circular cam wall 52 formed inone end of a rock lever 53. This lever is mounted for oscillation upona. bolt 54 secured to the table 44. 'Ihe opposite end of the lever 53terminates in an inwardly extending finger 55 which engages the insertedcontainer 21 carried inside of the turret pocket and pushes it inwardlyinto fully seated position.l This action is effected by oscillation ofthe lever 53 which is moved on its pivot when the roller 5| (Fig.7 1)rides along the cam wall 52.

After the roller passes the lever', the latter is moved back into normalposition (shown in dotted lines Fig. 1) by a spring device. For thispurpose the lever carries a sliding pin 56 which is pivotally secured at51 adjacent the wall 52. A spring 59 is interposed between the lever anda lug 59 mounted upon the table 44 and this tends to move the levercounter-clockwise on its pivot but yields under the rocking influence ofthe starwheel as just described.

The pockets 25 of the container turret 25 (Figs.-

1` and 2) are spacedv around its periphery and are less in height thanthe turret, which leaves aU solid or unbroken upper peripheral surface65 above the pockets and va similar unbroken lower Vsurface 56 below.These cylindrical walls, together with the intermediate cylindrical wallsections between pockets provide the proper movable surface for fitengagement .with a oat valve which is used to maintain a surroundingairtight seal for the pockets while they aresuccssively under vacuum.

A float valve for this purpose comprises a semicircular valve member 1Iwhich is coextensive in height with the height of the turret 25 andwhich partially encircles the turret, extending and enclosingpractically half of its cylindrical surface. This valve 1| is mountedfor sliding movement within a housing 12 formed in the side bracket 23of the frame and rests upon a bottom wall 13.

Extensions 15, project rearwardly from the valve 1| and slide onexterior machined surfaces 15 of the housing 12. There is an extension15 on each side of the housing and`this valve mounting holds the floatvalve` in proper aligned position relative to the turret 25.

' Lugs 11 project laterallyfrom each side of the housing 12, there beinga lug in alignment with and tothe rear of each ,extension 15. Eachextension 15 carries a pin 18 which has sliding movement within itsassociated lug 11 and each pin carries asprlng 19v which is interposedbetween a lug 11 `and an associated 'extension 15. These springstend toforce the oat valve into engagement with the rotating turret 25 andassist, with other devices hereinafter described,

in producing the proper seal for the vacuum chamber. x

The turret 25 is continuously rotated by connection with a source ofdrivingpower and for this purpose a ring gear 3| (Fig. 2) is mounted onthe flange 32 of the turret sleeve 29, this gear being just outside' ofthe bearing unit 33. Gear 8| ris engaged by a gear 82 carried on theupper end of a vertically disposed shaft 83 journaled in 38 of thecolumn 22 and in bearings 89 formed in foot sections 81 of the column. y

The shaft\83 also carries a gear 9| which meshes with va gear 92 keyedto the lower end of a vertically extending shaft 93` journaled inbearings 94 formed in the column. The upper end of shaft 93 extends intothe gear housing 24 and carries a `bevel gear 95 which meshes with agear 96 mounted on a drive shaft 91 journaled in a bearing 98 formed inthe housing 24. Shaft 91 also carries a drive pulley 99 by means ofwhich rotating power may be applied to the drive shaft. Collars |00 arepinned on the two ends of the shaft 93 and hold it in proper verticalposition.

The inner face of the float valve 1| is recessed at |0| (Figs. l and 3)and the pockets 25 of the turret which are adjacent said valve aresimultaneously vacuumized to eect vacuum chambers for the sealingoperation. This recess |0I provides air intercommunication and exhaustfor this purpose.A A pipe |02 is threadedly secured into .the circularextension wall of the float valve and its opposite end' is secured to aflexible connection |03 connecting with a pipe |04 threaded in a T |05,one arm of which is connected with a pipe |06 leading to a vacuum pump(not shown) or other suitable source of vacuum.- By means of` thisconnection air is withdrawn from the interior of those pockets 29included between the engaged surfaces of the float valve and theperipheral Walls of the turret. A vacuum chamber is thus establishedwhich includes the pockets.

As long as this vacuum condition exists in the Vacuum chamberatmospheric pressure on the exterior of the float valve 1| tends toforce it against the peripheral walls of the turret. the

`amount of this pressure varying with the degree of vacuum.y In thepresent invention this cir-v cumstance is utilized in a/ unique mannerby combining a device with the float valve which is adapted to be moreor less vacuumized so that it partially counteracts the atmosphericpressure on the valve and lessens the contact pressure of the valveagainst the turret.

'I'he compensating function of such a device is effective uponasubstantial area of the rear exterior wall of the oat valve andatmospheric pressure at this zone is replaced by a vacuum orrareiiedatmosphere. A bellows I|| (Figs. 1 and 2) is located in thehousing 72 and one end is connected to the end wall of the. housingwhile the opposite end connects with the fiat outer or rear wall of thefloat valve. The interior of the bellows is connected by a pipe ||2 withthe r los of the vacuum pipe los. Air is thus withdrawn from theinterior of the bellows at the same time that the air is extracted fromthe vacuum chamber.

with each turret pocket for this purpose, therek being illustrated inthe drawings (Figs. 2 and 3) a form of sealing device capable of bendinga part of the cover flange into sealing position beneath a shoulder ofits container.

Each turret pocket 26 is provided with centering plate ridges |2| whichconstitute locating walls for holding the container in its properposition for sealing. A shelf |22 is falso extended across the turretpocket being formed integrally with the pocket wall.` Its upper surfaceis in horizontal alignment with the top of the table 44 and presents asurface over which the container 21 is moved as it enters the turretpocket.

A plunger device is located within the lower part of each pocket 26 andcomprises a base plate |23 having a stem |24 slidably disposed within abearing sleeve |25 carried in the turret 25. The upper surface of thebase plate is also in the same horizontal plane with the shelf |22during insertion of the container within its pocket. The base plateprovides the support for the container after it is seated in the members|2|. When the rotating turret brings its pocket and container to aposition where it becomes a part of the vacuum chamber, the base plateisraised and the container is lifted into sealing position. This iseffected in the following manner.

.Each stem |24 at its lower end carries a roller |26 which rides upon acam track |21 formed in the web 38 of the column 22. A pin |28 projectslaterally from the stem |24 and cooperates with the track roller |26 byengagement with an annular cam track I 29, also formed in the web 38.

The container 21 with its superimposed cover 28 is lifted through apartition |35 projecting inwardly from the pocket wall and cutting oi asection of the upper part of the pocket for the cover sealing devices ina sealing head; The

cover in its raised position engages and is clamped on a chuck |36located within the sealin'g chamberthe plunger |-23'providing theopposing clamping element for holding the container in sealing position.

The chuck |36 is carried on the lower end of a sleeve |31- which extendsvertically throughan outer sleeve |38 rotatablymounted in a bearing |39formed in the turret. 'I'he plunger head |23 lifts the container rst sothat its cover engages the chuck after which further lifting continues,this time accompanied by a lifting of the chuck with certain sealingdevices carried thereby. This action is for a purpose hereinafter fullydescribed.`

Sealing of the container. in vacuum andthe `and is held by a flange; |43formed on the chuck .I 36. A cover plate |44 secured to the chuck byscrews |45 holds the die ring on the chuck in proper sliding position. 1

l The jaw section |4| is cutaway or tapered on its bottom corner edge toprovide a tapered throat |46 through which the -c'over 28 and the upperend of the container 21 move as the former is seated 4within the chuck.At this time the encircling walls-of the throat |46V of the floating diering are centrally disposed relative to the container and the cover andallow their free passage through the throat. The necessary s'lidingmovement imparted to the floating `diering |40 to effect the properbending action is controlled by an eccentrically mounted collar mem-`|38. Collar |5| has no verticalmovement being vmay be described ashorizontal and is utilized as a driving means for the floating bendingdie. The collar |5| is formed with an annular wall |54 having a-bottominner edge tapered at |55.

At the time the floating die member 40 islifted with the chuck |36 inthe second stage of insertion of the containerinto the sealing chamberas described, an upper and outer tapered wall |56 formed in the die ringengages and seats within the tapered Wall |55 of the collar |5I. When inthis locked position the die ring |40 moves in unison with the shiftingcollar and also describes a horizontal motion. This movement forces oneside of the jaw |4| against the lower skirt of the cover 28 and bends itunder a shoulder on the container as illustrated on the lefthand side inFig. 3. As the movement continues, adjacent sections of the jaw |4|progressively engage the depending skirt of the cover flange andcomplete the bending thereof in one complete rotation of the sleeve |38.

'I'he sleeve |38 is rotated by a connection best illustrated in Fig. 2.For this purpose the sleeve |38 is formedat its upper end with anenlarged gear xsection |6|, the teeth of which engage a central gear |62keyed to the upper end of the sleeve 35. This sleeve 35 and the gear I62 are rotated on the column 22 by a gear train which comprises a gearsection |63 formed in the lower end of the sleeve-which meshes with agear |66 (see also Fig. 1) which rotates upon a stud |61 supported bythe column web 38. The gear |66 is integral with a superimposed gear |68which meshes with a gear |69 formed' as a lower gear section of the gear82.

To assist in avcontrolled raising and lowering of the chuck |36 and thesleeve |31 when the container is lifted by the base plate |23, a camtrack is used for cooperation with the cam truck |21. The upper `end ofreach sleeve |31 carries a cam roller |15 which traverses a peripheralcam track |16 formed in a stationary cam disc |11 keyed to the column 22and located directly above the gear |62. A locking collar |18 threadedlyengages the column and rigidly clampsC the cam disc.

The contour of the lcam track |16 corresponds in part with the cam track|21 so that after a. container 21 is clamped between the base plate .|23and the chuck |36all of these parts will raise together and the floatingdie ring |40 locks with its actuating collar 5|. The cam track |16 alsocooperates with the cam |21 to simultaneously lower the chuck, containerand base plate after sealing.

Lowering of thedie ring |40 disengages its tapered wall |56 from thetapered wall |55 of the collar |5| and following this a tapered wall |8|formed in the outside lower corner edge of the die ring engages asimilartapered/surface |82 formed in the partition |35. Centralizing of the diering takes place as it shifts over with its wall into full engagementwith the wall surrounding the opening in the partition. The inwardlyprojecting jaw section |4| is nowvin a central vposition and free of thecontainer and its sealed cover and continued lowering oi' the base plate|28 again brings the sealed container into its lowered position in theturret pocket. o

To insure positive discharge from the sealing head this lowering action.is accompanied by a positive stripping of. the sealed container from thechuck. For this purpose a knockout pad (Figs. 2 and 3) .is usedbeingnormally locatedv within a pocket |86 in the chuck |28. It issecured Ito the lower end of a knockout rod |81 which is slidablydisposed within the sleeve |31. The upper end of the rod |81 carnes acam block |88 (see also Fig. 4) which rides against the outer wall oi' acam |88 mounted upon the cam disc |11. ISI which operates within a camgroove |92 formed in the cam |88.

When the chuck |88 has reached its lowered position, the knockout lpad|85 with its rod |81 continues downwardly with the lowering of the baseplate |28 and restingon the sealed container, positively discharges itfrom the chuck.

The sealed container. 21-still' on its lowered base plate |28 further iscarried into a p osition oi' discharge. The pocket 28 containing thecontainer moves beyond the end of the float valve 1| and atmospheric airentersl the pocket. A container nge'r discharge located within eachpocket (Fig. l) now comes into play to eject the container from thepocket. Each device comprises apair of swinging arms |85 located oneabove and one below the top and` bottom guide ridges |2I and normallyout of contact with the container. These two arms are secured to avertically disposed shaft |88 through the turret wall.

An arm |81 (Figs. 2 and 4) issecured to the upper end of. each shai't|88 and carries a roller '|88 which operates within a cam groove |99formed in the lower face of a collar cam 20| mounted on the cam |88.Bolts 282 are threadedly engaged within the cam disc |11 and passthrough the cam. members |88, 28| locking these cam parts in stationaryposition.

Thecam 20| effects oscillation of the arr'n |91 and the shaft |88 whichcontrols movement of the ilngers |95 so that the sealedcontainer 21 whencarried to a position of discharge is moved out of its turret pocket(Fig. l). A guide rail 205` is disposed adjacent the turret andprevents-premature discharge of a sealed container.'from its turretpocket, this guide rail being a part oi' one of a 'pair of'spaced rails208 formed in a discharge table 281. I'he iingers |95 move the sealedcontainer onto the table 201 where it is engaged by apair oi' movingdischarge chains 208 passing over sprockets 209 mounted'on a shaft 2| I,journaled in the table.

Unsealed containers are thus fed in succession into adjacent turretpockets and after sealing in vacuum the containers are successivefydischarged each pocket emptying ,its :sealed container as it passesadjacent the-position oi discharge.

It is thought-that the inventionand many'oi its attendant advantageswill be, understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent 'that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of theparts, without departing from the-spirit and scope ofthe l invention, or sacriiicing all oi' its material ad- The block |88carries a cam roller which extends,v

ers, the combination of a stationary trame, a container carrying turretrotatably mounted in said frame, a iiot vvalve interposed between saidframe and said turret on which valve the turret has sliding contactsothat the valve forms a slid-- ing seal for a vacuum chamber, andvacuum means associated with said float valve for parvchamber is undervacuum, and means for regulating said counteralcting means in accordancewith the amount of vacuum in said chamber.

3. JIn an apparatus for vacuumizing containers,

lthe combination of a stationary frame, a container carrying turretrotatably mounted in said frame, a float valve interposed between saidframe and said turret and forming a sliding seal for a vacuum chamberwith which Valve the turret has sliding contact, vacuum means associatedwith said float valve for partially counteracting 'the effect ofatmospheric pressure against itl/when said chamber is under vacuum, andVmeans for .adjusting said counteracting means.

y ,4. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination oi astationary frame, a container carrying turret rotatably mounted in saidframe and said turret and forming a sliding seal for a vacuum chamber,and a bellows connected with said iioat valve and with aV source ofvacuum for partially compensating the pressure of .frame, a iloat valveinterposed between said,

the outside atmosphere against the valve whilev said chamber is undervacuum.

5. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination-of astationary frame, a container carrying turretrotatably mounted in saidframe, a oat valve interposed between said frame and said turret andforming a sliding seal for a vacuum "chamber, a bellows connected with Isaid -iloat valve and with a source of vacuum i'or partiallycompensating the pressure of the outside atmosphere against the valvewhile said chamber is under vacuum, and means for regulating the amountof vacuum within said bellows.v

6. In an apparatus Vfor vacuumizing containers.v

the combination of a stationary, frame, a container carrying turretrotatably mounted in said frame, a iioat valve interposed between saidframe an said turret, yielding devices for forcing said oat valve intocontact with said turret to provide a sliding seal for. a vacuumchamber,

and vacuum meansfassociated with said oat valve .for partiallycounteracting the effect of said yielding devices and atmosphericpressure against it when said chamber is under vacuum.

7. In an apparatus for. vacuumizing and sealing, containers, thecombination of a stationary frame, a container carrying turret having aplurality of container receivi pockets rotatably mounted in'said'irame,a iloatval've interposed between'said frame and said turretjlg-,meansfor" forming a vacuum in said turret pockets, con' tainer sealinginstrumentalities carried Iby said turret for sealingfsaid containers'while in Asaid vacuum, and a vacuum conduiti'ncluding a movinterposedbetween said frame and said turret means for forming a vacuum in saidturret pockets, actuating means for causing said instrumentalities toseal a container when its pocket is vacuumized, and a vacuum conduitincluding a movable member secured at its opposite ends to said frameand valve respectively for partially counteracting the eiect ofatmospheric pressure against said valve during such vacuumizing andsealing. i l

9. In an apparatuskfor vacuumizing containers, the combination of astationary frame, a container carrying turret rotatably mounted in saidframe, a float valve interposed between said frame and said turret andforming a sliding seal for a vacuum chamber, vacuummeans associated withsaid float valveffor partially counteracting atmospheric pressureagainst it when said chamber is under vacuum, and means for adjustingsaid counteracting means in accordance with the vacuum in said chamberto effect a predetermined pressure contact between said oating valve andsaid turret.

10. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination of abodily fixed part and a relatively movable part contacting with each.,

" other and dening a vacuum chamber adapted to receive a container to bevacuumized, means for vacuumizing said chambenand means responsive `tosaid vacuumizing means for lessening pressure ers, the combination of arotary turret having means to receive and close a container, a iiXedpart, and a valve "having a sliding contact with said xed part andengaging said turret to form a vacuum chamber to enclose the container,and vacuumizing means operating on said valve to lessen the frictionbetween said turret and valve and also operating to vacuumize saidchamber.

12. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination of(arotary part having chambers, Aanon-rotary part arranged toy leave openand to close said chambers as said rotary part turns, vacuum means forrelieving the mutual friction of said parts, means for vacuumizing saidchambers when closed, means for moving the containers vertically in saidchambers when the chambers are closed, and means for closing thecontainers when they are in vacuumized condition. i

13. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, the combination of arotary part having chambers, a non-rotary part arranged to leave openand to close said chambers as said rotary part turns, means forvacuumizing said chambers and containers therein when the chambers areclosed, means for closing the containers when they are in vacuumizedcondition, and a vacuumized-device operating on said non-rotary part forlessening the contact pressure between said rotary and non-rotary parts.

14. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containers, "the combination of arotary turret, a oat valve engaging the turret to form a vacuum chamber,means for vacuumizing said chamber whereby said turret and valve arefrictionally urged together due to external atmospheric pressureopposing the vacuum, and means for applying the vacuum to press saidvalve in the contrary 16. In an apparatus for vacuumizing containv ers,the combination of a container conveyor,'a valvecasing contacting saidconveyor and substantially sealing itpagainst the atmosphere, a vacuumchamber formed in part by said conveyor and having container sealingmechanism therein, i,

vacuum means for exhausting the air from said chamber and,simultaneously from a plurality of cbntainers therein, said vacuummeans causing relative movement' between said conveyor and said casing,and auxiliary means responsive to said vacuum means for controlling saidmovement.

17. In an apparatus for vacuumizing andsealing containers, thecombination of a container ;conveyor, a valve casing adapted to sealsaid conveyor against the atmosphere, a vacuum chamber formed in part bysaid conveyor and containing mechanism for sealing a container, a vacuummeans for exhausting the air from said chamber and container and causingrelative pressure between said conveyor and said casing, and countervacuum means'for controlling said pressure.

NEILS P. BACH.`

